– Like everyone else, you notice that prices are rising. It would have been good to get a salary settlement. That’s what Eivind Ludvigsen-Overrein, a teacher at Egge secondary school in Steinkjer, says. He’s not the only one who would like to know how much money he has on hand. Teachers organized in the Education Association, the National Association of Schools and the Norwegian Association of Lecturers are all waiting for the salary settlement for last year to be ready. Eivind Ludvigsen-Overrein is proud of his job as a teacher. Photo: Randi Wilsgård / news Compulsory salary committee The long-lasting teachers’ strike was ended on 27 September last year. The government intervened with a compulsory wage board. The argument was that the strike had serious social consequences, including for the pupils’ mental health. Because the parties in the conflict did not come to an agreement in the normal way, it is the National Salary Board that will decide what the teachers will receive in salary supplement. The tribunal must also decide from which date they receive the supplements. But in order for them to start the work, they must be authorized to do so by the Storting. They received that after treatment on 29 November. Things take time – It feels very unnecessary that it will take five months before a salary settlement is settled after the strike has ended, says Ludvigsen-Overrein. The junior high school teacher, who is also a shop steward in the Education Association, says this is a regular topic in the teachers’ room. In addition to frustration that the salary settlement takes a long time, he also receives reactions to the fact that a forced salary board was used. He believes the back payment will not arrive until April, and says it is special that it happens after a new salary settlement is underway. I understand that it is a burden, but last year’s salary settlement is approaching a solution. On 13 February, the case will be considered by the National Salary Board. – We are now very ready to take this case into consideration and to bring this to an end. It has been a very long process for the teachers and we understand that it has been a burden. That’s what Liv Synnøve Taraldsrud, who heads the National Salary Board, says. Liv Synnøve Taraldsrud, head of the National Salary Board, understands that long waiting times have been a burden for teachers. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news She says that a written hearing takes place before they have an oral meeting at the tribunal in February. – It is important to have a reassuring and sound case management. She believes that all three teachers’ organizations will receive an answer a week after the meeting on 13 February. Also affects nursery staff At Malmen nursery school in Malm, we meet Tone Lindstrøm. She is an educational leader and shop steward in the Education Association, and has also not received a salary settlement for 2022. She understands the regulations, but does not think it is good to wait so long. Lindstrøm also does not believe that the man in the street knows that the salary settlement is not forthcoming for some kindergarten employees. She now hopes that the National Wages Board will decide that wage increases will apply from 1 May and not from the end of the strike on 27 September. Tone Lindstrøm, educational manager at Malmen nursery school, plays with the children while she waits for the salary settlement. Photo: Randi Wilsgård / news Increased focus on the teaching profession Teacher and union representative Eivind Ludvigsen-Overrein believes the strike has led to an increased focus on the work teachers do. – Many people have seen the importance of our work. It is perhaps the biggest victory of the strike. Eivind Ludvigsen-Overrein is the first to get on the train with striking teachers in connection with a demonstration in Steinkjer on 29 August 2022. Photo: Randi Wilsgård / news
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The teachers are waiting for the salary settlement after the strike – to be decided by the National Salary Board in February – news Trøndelag
